Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-10-28
hi p you, End hope to make you so happy
50 indenandanf Of all the world ~


done in the case Of younger man.
"You will never regret my offer, desr
Melaaie," he added, taking her RICH
hand caressingly between his two.
Her form treDbIed; she shivered SIS
with cold, yet her head and hands were
/ burning hot, and she was almost fsini
and giddy as she thought of the whole
cruel situation-LonsdaIe's strange con-
duct, the helplessness of Reggie, hel
uncle's threats towards him, and the
hourly sneers and domestic tyranny to
herself and Dick.
Hopeless and helpless she felt herself
and here was refuge and luxurious
home offered by one she knew well, and
who told her daily Of his love, though she
had none to offer in return.
The thought flashed through her mind
for second, but second only, to be
thrust aside with intense dismsy that it
should have occurred to her al all, and
the next words of Sir Briscc reused her
| eneTgies-eveD her ire.
"Upon my soul, Melsnie," eaid he, re-
garding her earnestly and commiseret-
inglV, 81 pity you"
"But l won't be pitied, or married out
Of pity, by you, Sir Brisco, or auyone!"
she exclaimed, with s. fash in her dark
eyes. "Iu Short" she added, bringing
all her courage to the sticking point,
knowing that che had no one to defend
her or advise her kindly-save poor
Rsggie-''do not talk to me of marriage
sgain; because, if you do, shall hsve to
ask you plainly &c cease visiting my uncle
or me"
Sir Brisco took up his hat, but laid it
down again, and still fingered irreSolute-
~.
"You cannot even Like me?" he said,
reproachfuLy.
GAS friend, oh yes"
"But-as husband, Melanle?"
"Never. You are thousand times too
good for me-"
J "Never?"
"You force ne to speak plainly; rude
ly, perhaps" she added IN broken voice,
while colouring painfully.
Tfmidly, IS q young lover might have
done, the old man stood now drawing his
ridi1g-gioves on and of, while Melanie
bowed her cheek-Wet with tears Of SD, er
Vexation noW-upon her white palm, and
bent her eyes upon the sorely faded car
pet. How sWeetly soft he thought she
looked.
"Aud you can like me as friend, Me-
lanie?" he asked.
81 have said so;" Gud she gave him her
left hand in token thereof. He clssped
it firmly, and his grasp seemed SO honest
that she gathered 8 little coursge and
comfort therefrom. And then be bowed
over it with old-faehicned courtesy, in
herited perhaps from his father, who had
been st court when George III. was King,
Gaeo 90
Gibraltar, and when powdered wigs snd
small swords were worn. 81 shall ever
esteem you as the best Of fEiends-to be
more would but work misery for all"
"I thank ven, Melsnie; but find il Diff
cult now, after all have said and Gil l
have hoped, to slide hsck into mere
friendship; out waen you have had time
to TefiecG, perhaps you will not be SO
cruel TO ne, snd forgive the pain 1 have
caused you."
II have nothing to forgive, Sir Brisco. p"
"Aad II have been happy in the mere
fact Of knowing you, Melenie; and let
the worst come to the worst, l hope you
will never deprive NE Of your friendship,
and permit me TO prove mine by making
you happy if at any time can 90 go. ~
And linking that to urge more then
would be unwise, he kissed the hand he
had retained and bowed himself out,
leaving Melanie sunk in thought.
His rel rated offers thrust al idea
upon her. she married him-suppose
that idea-she could not help speculsting
on the future, that future in which Mon
tague LonsdSle could have no part; and
she shuddered.
She was barely twenty. Sir Brisco was
CHI Fo< Ha 4
be an old man, within five wears of ninety,
if spared-Wheeled sbontH in en-
armchair like Reggie, Ia second
childhood, fed on spoon Diet helpless,
toothless, too cid even 70 be paeVish; and
for years before, that she must have led
the life of a nurse. It Wase dreadful
forecast terrible picture. 81
On the other hand, Sir Brisec viewed
the case less Severely, and after time
ceased to feel how gcutely the youth and
bloom Of the two girls, Melanie and Amy,
had made hin feel, ct first, the weight Of
his own grey hairs and more than sixty
years.
Rubicund and white moustsched, with
thick stubbly locks, his rather rotund
Outline cOntrasted curiously, in the eyes
ca the former, with the tall, military
figure Of him who WAS so far away, the
eFonzed face, the clearly-cut profile and
fire young face, clean shaver all save the
SMART moustsche, the tender hazel eyes
sld closely-crOpped dark Drown hair.
The privileged way in which Sir Brisco
sometimes dropped in at Rose Cottsge,
even after this important interview,
proved g genuine source Of worry to
MeIanie, and she found the necessity OF
avoiding him whenever she could do so,
without being too marked in manner.
She marvelled tnat well-bred man
should continue his visits thus; but she
forgot her own power Of subtle fascina-
ton.
Amy Brendon, who, we have said, came
much schooner now, and whose lively
little speeches, quick, bright glances, and
espegliere had proved e new experiences
to Sir Brisco, correctly trained man Of
the world, and had fascinated him greatly
ssW how changed Melanie had become,
with an almost entire avoidance Of all
confidence in her as friend, so far as
| Lonsdale was concerned; ana how each
day seemed to be passed in; alternate
forced excitement Or hopeless apathy,
with re Jtlees uneasinees Of eye and
voice.
OF Lonsdsle, Melsbie scarosiy spoke,
even if he was casually alluded to. Thus,
to ANY it seemed sssif Sir Brisco was
sliding by adoption IA o his place.
The neighborhocd soon became full OF
rumors, slough Melanie never heard
thens but of her neg engagement, if such
| SsSata6 cha ,avnr cY,nkn and Amy with